Pediatric Physical Therapy Services

Physical Therapy Treatment Sessions

My treatment sessions with your child are individual and they are 45 to 60 minutes in duration. Family members are welcomed in the session to support and interact with therapy. I incorporate age-appropriate play and related activities.

Young girl getting ready to toss a ball to Michele
Child on a plastic scooter in her home
Michele Wallace working on teen boy's leg during therapy

What happens when my child receives physical therapy services?

  1. An individualized pediatric physical therapy evaluation is performed.
  2. Review of the evaluation with the family as well as a copy of the evaluation.
  3. A therapeutic plan of care and one-on-one sessions with physical therapist.
  4. Continuous support for the family, caregiver and child with a home program and recommendations of how to incorporate strengths into functional activities of daily living.

What happens in the physical therapy session?

  • Usually the session will begin with gentle stretching if needed and sitting activities on the mat.
  • Next, the child may be positioned on the exercise ball to “wake up those muscles”! This is the warm-up time.
  • We may proceed to perform balance, coordination, motor planning and strengthening activities if needed or appropriate.

The therapeutic activities in the session are designed to help achieve the child’s individual goals. Goals change as the child progresses in her motor skills.

What happens in a physical therapy session with your baby?

Physical therapy for a baby involves activities which facilitate appropriate progression through the typical developmental sequence. For example, physical therapy would help the baby tolerate “tummy time”, learn to roll, sit, crawl, stand, walk, etc. Physical therapy would also facilitate transitions in and out of positions as well as assuming and maintaining positions independently.

Facilitation of movement by the physical therapist helps to create movement patterns which the baby incorporates neurologically so he or she may perform these movements independently.

A physical therapy session may include gentle stretching and range of motion exercises. Exercise balls are often used for positioning, stretching and strengthening, as appropriate.

Since babies learn movement through play and interaction with their environment, play and toys are a large component of physical therapy with this age group.

What happens in a physical therapy session with your toddler/young child?

Toddlers love toys! Play is a large component of our physical therapy sessions. Your child will be encouraged to achieve our therapy goals through play. For example, your child may practice stepping up and down a stool for strengthening while stacking blocks or completing a puzzle. Your child may be positioned in sit on a therapy ball while holding a toy phone or special superhero figure.

What happens in a physical therapy session with your adolescent?

Your adolescent’s physical therapy play would be based according to his or her special needs and goals. Physical therapy treatment is “hands on”. Sessions may include weights, Therabands, exercise balls, medicine balls, and balance equipment. Therapeutic exercise for strengthening, range of motion and stretching is individually designed and closely supervised.

Young girl builing a car with blocks

Additional Services Provided at Kidz Motion

  • Consultation on Adaptive Equipment
  • Consultation on Orthotics
  • Consultation with day care, preschool, or family members.

What are some conditions Kidz Motion treats?

  • Bone fractures
  • Gait abnormalities
  • Ligament sprains
  • Movement disorders
  • Postural alignment
  • Osgood-Schlatter disease
  • Plagiocephaly
  • Scoliosis
  • Muscle strains and muscular disorders (muscle imbalances)
  • Body and spatial awareness
  • Proprioception awareness (spatial awareness of the body)

Family Testimonial…

I moved to New Jersey in 2012 with my 6 year old son, a child with special needs. I soon realized Georgie needed more help with his motor skills than he was getting in school. When I asked friends, Michele Wallace from Kidzmotion was highly recommended as a PT for my son. As soon as we met Michele, we knew I had made the right choice. She has been working with Georgie for over 8 years. She taught him how to navigate the stairs, ride his bike and scooter, which SHE had given him as a gift. During the pandemic, my son was critically ill and it was Michele who worked with us virtually when he was discharged to enable him to walk again. She is always thoughtful, compassionate, creative, effective, professional and genuinely caring. Her patience with my son is amazing. She is not only my son’s physical therapist, but also a member of our family.

– Andrea W.

How do I know if my child needs physical therapy?

  • Your child is delayed in age-appropriate milestones such as rolling, crawling or walking.
  • Your child has had surgery and needs to improve strength, flexibility or range of motion.
  • Your child is not keeping up with his peers on the playground or while playing team sports.

If your child needs physical therapy services or an initial evaluation to explore the situation, please contact Kidz Motion to schedule an appointment.